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Mouse Guard: Winter 1152
(Mouse Guard #2)
by
In the Winter of 1152, the Guard face a food and supply shortage threatening the lives of many through a cold and icy season. Saxon, Kenzie, Lieam, and Sadie, led by Celanawe, traverse the snow-blanketed territories acting as diplomats to improve relations between the mouse cities and the Guard. This is a winter not every Guard may survive. Collects the second Eisner-Award
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Hardcover, First Edition, 192 pages
Published
July 22nd 2009
by Archaia Studios Press
(first published July 1st 2007)
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Start your review of Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 (Mouse Guard, #2)

Everything I liked about the first book is continued here, with two added elements besides.
1. Of all the elements in these books, the characterization is probably the weakest. It's just not the focus of the story. However, in this second book, we get to know the characters *much* better, and it added a lot for me.
2. Even better, we get to see more of the world of the mice. We meet the hares and see the relationship with the mice. We see a city that used to be occupied by the ferrets, (we haven' ...more
1. Of all the elements in these books, the characterization is probably the weakest. It's just not the focus of the story. However, in this second book, we get to know the characters *much* better, and it added a lot for me.
2. Even better, we get to see more of the world of the mice. We meet the hares and see the relationship with the mice. We see a city that used to be occupied by the ferrets, (we haven' ...more

In Winter 1152, David Petersen continues his tale of mouse intrigue, glory, and honour apace. Rather than having the squashed rebellion of Fall 1152 simply fade into memory as a one-off plot to give the first volume some heft, we see that these things have lasting consequences and that the flames that leapt up in open rebellion still smoulder in traitorous saboutage.
This volumes lays more foundation for upcoming books as Petersen explores not just the relationships between the guardsmice, but i ...more
This volumes lays more foundation for upcoming books as Petersen explores not just the relationships between the guardsmice, but i ...more

It's like an adult Redwall. It's not bad, but there is something about it that leaves me a bit cold. The artwork is wonderful but the Mice Templar is better storywise, I think.
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As a special reward for May, we bought her the second Mouse Guard. I was a little frustrated to learn a) it hasn't come out in soft-cover yet and b) Volume 3 iss only barely beginning to come out in issues!
My daughter is obsessed. She is going to dress as Gwendolyn for Halloween this year. Her drawing quality took a giant leap when she started drawing guardsmice. She writes her own comics (2-3 panels of mice facing off aginst bullfrogs and the like).
This volume doesn't have quite the epic-span f ...more
My daughter is obsessed. She is going to dress as Gwendolyn for Halloween this year. Her drawing quality took a giant leap when she started drawing guardsmice. She writes her own comics (2-3 panels of mice facing off aginst bullfrogs and the like).
This volume doesn't have quite the epic-span f ...more

Reread this one today. I have mixed feelings. The story was fun and I think the art works perfectly to illustrate this world. But I found the book fitted bogged down with exposition. I really didn't care about the complex relationships and when one character was talking about another character I had very little idea who they were actually talking about (this may be due to Peterson, but I'm willing to accept that I just wasn't paying attention - but out of a lack of interest).
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Feb 03, 2020
Abigail
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Anyone Who Read & Enjoyed the First 'Mouse Guard' Book
The saga of the Guardmice continues in this second installment of David Petersen's anthropomorphic murine fantasy - like the first,
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152
, it is composed of six chapters that were originally separate comic book issues, as well as some additional material - as Saxon, Kenzie, Lieam, Sadie, and Celanawe (revealed to be the legendary Black Axe in the previous book) struggle to make their way back to Lockhaven, the Guard Mouse stronghold. Dispatched by Mouse Guard Matriarch, Gwen
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"It matters not what you fight but what you fight for"
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The second volume of this series was almost as good as the first. The art is tremendous in this series and the story isn't far behind. I've heard many people say they think this series would be good for younger readers, but really I'm not seeing that. The characters are talking animals, but the language and situations are not aimed at younger readers. Well, maybe YA type readers, but not children. I don't mean the book is loaded with curse words, but it's somewhat old English type dialogue, plus
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Petersen's world of mice is getting deeper (literally :-) ), wider, more complex and more naturalistic. Death, betrayal, fear of danger, struggle, it has it all. Winter is a hostile season and this Mouse Guard book can show it. And I liked it. Very much. The story is not epic, it is more subtle and rather personal, but very well told. The art is as always beautiful, rather on the realistic side, firm ink lines with perfect colouring. I'm really looking forward to next book of this story arc. I r
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This one is better than Mouse Guard Winter. This is such a cool series. I liked Fall 1152 but this goes deeper into their culture and history. It explains more and makes me ask more questions. I just want more after reading this. I will go back and read Fall and look for all other Mouse Guard books as well.

Oct 28, 2019
Daniel Winegar
added it
Huh. I guess I did read the second book in a series first. I wondered about that while I was reading it. And that is where I end this unhelpful review.

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

A much more grounded story than the first Mouse Guard volume. Instead of an epic, sweeping tale with no time to develop most of its components, we get a much smaller story of the Guard just trying to make it back to their home with supplies. This makes for a far more enjoyable read, as it doesn't take huge leaps forward in story, instead staying very close to our main heroes as they battle their way back to Lockhaven.
That said, I still find the series a little silly at times. It takes itself so ...more
That said, I still find the series a little silly at times. It takes itself so ...more

As mentioned in my Spring 1152 review, we accidentally read this one first, and it was tougher to comprehend lacking the back story. But this journey story, visiting the Weasely underworld and a nice macabre interaction with bats that for my young darklings was much enjoyed.
Speaking of bats, there is sort of a legendary mouse named the Black Axe who your kids will likely love as mine did, but his arc has perhaps a tragic tinge to it, so be forewarned with more sensitive young ones. As this is mi ...more
Speaking of bats, there is sort of a legendary mouse named the Black Axe who your kids will likely love as mine did, but his arc has perhaps a tragic tinge to it, so be forewarned with more sensitive young ones. As this is mi ...more

Three and a half stars. The illustrations in this sequel are still gorgeous, and after mentioning Dinotopia in my review of the first book, I was tickled to see this Foreword by James Gurney. He writes, "With impeccable taste Petersen chooses dramatic camera angles and striking compositions, not merely to tell the story, but to expand the world. The colors transition from golden firelight to pale blue moonlight." I guarantee the constant snowfall in this book will make you feel cold.
However, the ...more
However, the ...more

With supplies depleted as winter approaches, the guardmice send messengers to the nearby towns to request needed supplies and to invite the leaders to a summit to find common solutions to the threats facing the mice. David Petersen envisions a medieval-style society made up of mice and the warrior-mice who serve as their protectors.
While one group is split up as they struggle to make it home, treachery lurks in the halls of Lockhaven.
This was my first introduction to Mouse Guard, aside from a co ...more
While one group is split up as they struggle to make it home, treachery lurks in the halls of Lockhaven.
This was my first introduction to Mouse Guard, aside from a co ...more

Better than MG: Fall, so if you liked that one at all, pick this up. The art is great, as before, though I completely disagree with the choice of using all caps for all of the mouse dialogue (different kinds of animals actually use different lettering styles). But that is really my only complaint. The story kept me engaged the entire time, and I found the winter season to be most enjoyable for Mouse Guard. Winter is just the most mysterious and magical of seasons, IMO. It was great, too, to lear
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It is really easy to fall in love with the merry band of mouseketeers. . . no, not the Disney ones. . .as they go off on a quest in the dead of winter to gather supplies and alliances in response to recent internal tumults and betrayals. Although the plot is not too taxing, or even that original it seems, the artwork is wonderful, almost enchanting I would say. You do get some character development and they square off against natural pitfalls and mortal natural enemies, but they are adorable eve
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Even better than the first installment. David Petersen's artwork and dialogue work together perfectly to tell a harrowing story. The Celanawe/Lieam relationship takes on a Yoda/Luke Skywalker feel. The intra-mousedom intrigue adds a Game of Thrones vibe to the series. The small stature of the main characters amplifies the story's epic-ness. For me, Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 approaches Braveheart levels on the breathless meter. I literally moved to the edge of my seat during the Bat and Owl scenes
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Mice, who guard things. The plots are pretty basic, and young-adult fantasy novel earnest, and the art is fantastic. The worldbuilding is excellent as long as you don't think two hard about why there are medieval-ish mice in what seems (by the fauna) to be Michigan, why Mice and Weasels have thumbs and none of the animals do, and why the population seems about 1/10th the size required for the civilization shown. You can just posit some Rats of NIMH action in the background and move on. The art i
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Just after reading the first volume (Autumn 1152) I started this one, and I think I liked the story a little bit more. Some scenes are quite fascinating and intense, but a little bit frustrating too, as they references to an era that we will not see and that looked so interesting. I managed to attach myself to some characters in this one and the plot was deeper. I'd love to read a third one if it goes better again.
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The cinematic paneling and storytelling that started in "Fall" continues here in "Winter" making this a joy to read. I enjoy recharging my batteries between longer novels with graphic novels and this one was perfectly suited to the task. Looking forward to the next installment.
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Note: There are more than one David Petersen on GR's database. For catch-all profile, see here (dissambiguated via 7 spaces).
David Petersen was born in 1977. His artistic career soon followed. A steady diet of cartoons, comics, and tree climbing fed his imagination and is what still inspires his work today. David won the 2007 Russ Manning Award for Most Promising Newcomer. In 2008, David won the E ...more
David Petersen was born in 1977. His artistic career soon followed. A steady diet of cartoons, comics, and tree climbing fed his imagination and is what still inspires his work today. David won the 2007 Russ Manning Award for Most Promising Newcomer. In 2008, David won the E ...more
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“You should always aim to be your own mouse, Lieam. In fact...you already are. You are not so quick to jump into danger as Saxon and not as pensive of mind as Kenzie. They rely on each other too much. Saxon knows he can afford to be reckless since Kenzie acts as his conscience. And Kenzie can linger in his thoughts and plans, because he knows Saxon can defend him. I tested Kenzie earlier. I wanted to see if he would be swayed by my advice. It took Saxon's coaxing to make up the greyfur's mind. Be compleete with in yourself young redfur...you will never disappoint. Even in solitude.”
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